The Best Classic Chili is a traditional chili recipe just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
This classic chili is perfect for a weeknight meal because it can be made in minutes. The only thing to chop is an onion.
I’ve been playing around with this recipe for the past few months, making it many times. My family didn’t mind the repetition at all because I really do believe that I ended up with the best chili ever!
How To Make Homemade Chili
Note: This is a summary. The full printable recipe and step by step video are located at the bottom of this post.
- Heat olive in a large soup pot.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook for 6-7 minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne.
- Stir until well combined.
- Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce.
- Stir well.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
What do you top chili with?
In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe, you may also want to have these things as toppings.
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- sliced green onions
- saltine crackers or oyster crackers
- diced avocado
How To Store
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or, store in the freezer for up to three months. Transfer the container to the refrigerator to thaw the day before you want to reheat it.
Pro Tip – Is It Too Spicy?
The brand of chili powder you use will have a huge difference in how spicy your chili will be. Different brands of chili powder have VERY different levels of spiciness.
I always use McCormick Chili Powder (No affiliation) because it is flavorful without being spicy.
More Great Chili Recipes
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
The Best Classic Chili Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion -diced
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder*
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper** -optional
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
- Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
- Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.
We love this recipe. Just the right amount of spice for both of us. I make it often!
This is my GO TO recipe for years!!!! Love it, you can definitely add more flavor to this but it’s a GREAT staple/starter recipe
This is the best chili recipe I’ve used. I always have to add more spices to chili I make except for this one – you’ve got the spice ratio absolutely perfect and it’s ready to eat immediately. Thank you for such a great and simple recipe!!!
Absolutely delicious! I make it different ways. Sometimes I use a half a pound of hamburger, two carrots, and black beans. It makes it healthier that way.
I have found this recipe to be a real winner. I’ve prepared chili using this recipe numerous times over the past few years and it never disappoints.
I just entered chili based on this recipe in a chili cookoff this past weekend. I won the Peoples Choice award for the best chili! Bravo for The Best Classic Chili!!!
Generations love this recipe – it’s tasty and easy!
But a tad sweet so cut the sugar by half and also used brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
Otherwise great- thank you!
Really good. It is one of my default recipes to cook at home
I’ve made this recipe a few times, and comments have been that this is the best chili my guests have had.
I work in a youth home and all my youth love this recipe. We make it weekly with fry bread.
I’ve remade this recipe so many times! It’s my go too! It’s the perfect chilli recipe!
Love this easy and tasty recipe. Save some money and tomato paste waste: Use the whole 6 oz can of tomato paste and skip the tomato sauce. Add more water to your consistency liking. I also like to add a can of tri-bean blend for more beans and bean variety.
So good, thank you so much for sharing. I’ve made this with ground beef and ground venison – turns out great every time.
This chili truly lives up to its name, “The Best Classic Chili Recipe.” And if I may add to that,EVER! The home made chili spices are so delicious that I will be making it to save and brighten up eggs, veggies and pretty much anything that stands still long enough! I used white kidney beans instead of red because that is what I had on hand. Also, I omitted the cayenne pepper just because…This chili is so balanced in flavor as is and such a warm welcome on these cold nights.
We love it and thank you for sharing this recipe!
Vicki C.
I love this recipe! I’ve made it countless times over the last couple years. It’s delicious and my husband loves it too! Thanks for the recipe!
This is the best chili ever!!! I make it once a month. I do minus the meat and add extra can of beans because I’m vegan. Yummy!!!
This has been my favorite recipe for years. For the effort it takes to make this, it’s amazing. Quick enough for a weeknight. I sometimes add some chopped green bell pepper for a bit of extra. I also use 2 cans of kidney beans just because I like them. Thank you for such a fantastic recipe!
My family absolutely adore this recipe it’s my go to on a rainy day! I don’t see chili powder but I add the cayenne pepper and it give just the right flavor !
We made this for our church with beef and another pot with ground turkey. Both were hits.
Absolutely classic chili.
This chili is amazing! I’ve tried a lot of other people’s chili and this is by far the best!